McSally will replace the retiring John Kyl, whom Governor Doug Ducey appointed after McCain died in August following a battle with brain cancer. Kyl, a former senator, committed to serving only through the end of 2018 when he was appointed. McSally, the first female combat pilot in the U.S. Air Force and a two-term congresswoman, will serve until 2020, when a special election will be held to fill the remaining two years of McCain’s six-year term.
